Rahul’s speech — just quotable quotes

It was a highly inspiring speech from Rahul Gandhi at the CII conclave in Delhi today. One wondered if he was actually giving a motivational lecture to depressed souls. “Don’t give power to one person, give power to billion people”, “we need to give boats to people to ride the tide”, “road to development can’t be full of potholes”, “we need to move ideas”… he went on and on.

He spoke impressively, eloquently and animatedly, often using colloquial expressions like “boss”, about how we need to change the political structure of our country. But ironically, and sadly, his language was one that most politicians wouldn’t understand, nor care for. He continued to give the impression that he is still somewhere far away, most often in a cocoon, cut off from the political dynamics.

Actually, what Rahul spoke about, we have heard umpteen times before. He, in fact, reminded one of his father, Rajiv Gandhi, who used to talk the same language. Rajiv too struggled against the systemic inertia. He walked the talk, inching along with great difficulty, most often stumbling and making very little progress.

If Rahul’s address was a carefully choreographed political launch in the run-up to the 2014 battle, then it was a disaster, because he has left the field open to the BJP to counter him with the argument, “Rahul, Modi has already done many things that you are saying.”

Rahul’s speech left one with the impression that he is a man with a great vision and a lot of ideas, but little action. He himself said many times that we need to move ideas. But, how many ideas have been turned into action? And what have they achieved? Rahul should have showcased some data, to prove that he was not just lecturing but there have indeed been changes at the grassroots level. In the absence of any such case studies, his speech sounded like empty rhetoric, and begged the question, what his party has done, and if he, his party and the government would be able to move ideas.

Probably Rahul is treading the path with abundant caution, knowing well the inertia he is up against, and trying to learn from the mistakes his father made. Whatsoever be the case, if the Congress is pinning hopes on Rahul (whether he likes it or not), he needs to be a lot more visible, a lot more interactive, a lot more clear on specific issues that confront the country, and demonstrate the changes that have been brought about.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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B Pradeep Nair is a joint news editor at The Times of India in Bangalore. He has an industry experience of over 20 years, half of that in The Times of India. Besides writing on education and social issues, he also contributes to the weekly technology page which he oversees. He is passionate about technology, especially the way it is dramatically changing our lives and our interaction with one another.

B Pradeep Nair is a joint news editor at The Times of India in Bangalore. He has an industry experience of over 20 years, half of that in The Times of India. . .